I pray someday I will enjoy coming back to SI to read and take part in some of the threads, as it stands now, it's been allowed to get so bad, I don't even feel at peace here anymore.
I will keep SI in my prayers, and may God Bless SI and all it's members, and Lord I pray may we all can find peace in coming here again soon.
Dear brother,
I am sorry you will be doing this. I do apologize over the last week with the birth of our new child etc it has been hard for me to be diligent on the forums. We have taken a few actions this morning and will continue to pray overall the forums will be salt and light though there are some blemishes that appear from time to time.
We do ask saints be in prayer for this ministry, website and also discussion forums. That all things would have great impact for the kingdom of God. Another thing to remind saints especially older saints is to come to the forums in a spirit of humility to learn and grow and encourage and not to teach. This is not a platform for you to teach many people but rather to encourage and grow with others.
Congratulations on the new little Blessing Greg! I am not mad, as a member for almost 10 years, I am just a little disappointed. I can remember way back when, we never had the battles like today, most of the good long threads start out healthy, but end up going south fast. We all just need to focus more on God, he's the leader, were just the followers, he may lead us into "some" of the debates, but my guess is, when they get heated, God is gone and we stay.
believe me, I know how you feel.
many threads and postings, unstable, divisive....dare I say....moronic.
please dear brother, reconsider.....the moderators stand firm and sound.
some people, just get unstable because the times are dark, which means we have ...stick together in Jesus.
in His Love, neil
Just think, when they to do religious discussions on some media like talk radio, it can't go further than 10 minutes! Whole lot of religious rage out there!
The Sermon Index discussion forum is really the sum of its participants, and conversations will always ebb and flow. People will be misinterpreted, chastised, rebuked and praised- all a test really of how deep the love goes in one's heart for others you do not know!
Hang in there Bill, love on 'em, challenge their foolishness, amplify their simple wisdom, help make us all better disciples!
As a mod I apologize for not being more active in the forums as of late. I understand your sentiments Bill. The good old days of SermonIndex had problems too; false prophets, troublemakers, usurpers, religionists, etc. They have always been here, drawn to the fire of godly discussions like moths to corrupt. Back then we were more proactive in chasing them away before things got really bad. We've let that slide as of late, and I take the blame for it. Please forgive me. We are praying for godly wisdom, and if you can find it in your heart to intercede for us, this would be the ultimate thing thing anyone can do who loves this ministry.
I and the other mods will be taking a more active role here, by God's grace. Do not lose heart. We need your prayers, Bill. God bless you dear brother!
I echo the sentiments - please don't go, Brother Bill....
I guess this is a question for Greg and Paul, but how many moderators are there now actively involved anymore, just you two brothers?
I also think that as you are praying for SI, particularly the forums, that you ask the Lord to show you His will, moving forward. Is it time to mix things up a little? Has it become stale? Time for a change, maybe upgrade the technology? Even consider moving to something a little more like facebook? I haven't given it a whole lot of thought, but the one thing that strikes me is that if the same problems keep surfacing wouldn't it be wise to see if there was a better way?
I have not been around that long so others can answer if the forum has become a little "stale" or not, but from what I can tell, there are just a small handful of active posters. Which is good, that there are at least some people posting, but there is opportunity for a whole lot more people to be blessed and encouraged and strengthened. How can we get more people to participate? When a lot of posts degenerate into theological arguments, this pushes a lot of good people away who are just not interested in fighting with others.
SI has a very good foundation but I sense that there is something more than what we see that the Lord wants to build here. I say we dream a little and believe for God to greater things! He can change the whole thing if we believe Him for it...a vibrant community where elder believers can strengthen and inspire new believers. Why not? Can we dream?
I think that one of the problems that keeps coming up is that overbearing personalities are allowed to run wild and they tend to become very judgemental, almost ready at a whim to strike back at anyone who disagrees with them. And then those who are quiet just shut their mouths. And then the cycle continues, and the number of participants gets smaller and smaller. It is a self defeating process. We have to change this!
Also, I really like the FB idea of likes, because it sends a clear message to the commenter that they have the backing and support of the community. Kind of like being in a group and when someone says something good or edifying, others nod their heads or smile. In the same manner if someone says something that is grievous, or raises their voice, others grimace and recoil a little, sending a clear message that they do not approve. This body language is hard to transmit online, which is why "likes" are so important. Lots of blogs also have this same technology, where comments are given likes.
Just a few thoughts.
One of the things that I would like to see change on SI, is the tolerance of those who bandy about the word 'heresy' to anyone who disagrees with their own theology. It is a serious charge and should only be used towards those who are in a position of teaching, and a matter for church leaders, not towards those who could perhaps be finding their way in theology by rethinking certain doctrines that they were taught and would like to sound out their thoughts.
I would think that nothing scares people away from posting than the thought that someone might pop up and call them a heretic because they haven't got their thinking straight yet or even that they just don't agree with whoever is sounding forth.
Moreover, this site itself has the writings and sermons of a wide spectrum of theologies so it seems a little contradictory that some are allowed to shout against, and make that accusation towards those who hold the views of some of the writers on the site, case in point being George Fox which was the cause of that closed thread of late.
I propose that if someone uses the word heresy then that post is reported which will save the thread descending into what we have seen recently.
Sister you made negative remarks against reformed theology in that thread ,and charismatic theology in the past so it is a contradiction for you to say what you've just said ,very hypocritical if i can say that gently
Just for the record i never used the word heresy and i never got excited and shouted against any one ,,but i was pointing out some things that also later i found john Wesley pointed out much the same about Quakerism and George fox ,and hoped we could do a bible study on those points ,i never got defensive or offended by anyone ,as a mater fact of fact i never if got the opportunity to defend those points by a bible study
Honestly i dont see the point in getting upset about threads . I'm not the sort of man that would just ignore you Brenda wile you ask me questions or make statements wile in the process of defending George fox ,or what ever the discussion .I do that out of respect to you , but i would have preferred that you didnt defend him ,because it was just those points that i really wanted talk about ,which now will probable get ignored by the forum due to being concerned about more heated battles
I pray we can talk in this forum about important biblical principles in peace ,like the infallibility of gods word ,and the nature and spiritual weight of true prophecy with out getting all excessively defensive, im sure we may be all guilty at some time regarding getting overly defensive .
i did get a bit defensive in a thread about Christians defending there family and children or neighbors and there children with brother blain ,but i hope he noes how to take me iv lernt how to take him and i get over it with in afew replies in the same thread , and carry on as if it part of who we are as Christians with convictions . Be angry but sin not let not the sun go down on your wrath .
anger is a part of who we are Christians and it is not good to suppress it ,we need to except we will become angry but we must just not sin and get personal ,brother Andrew has his reasons for being strict regarding what he sees as fasle teaching and the occult for different reasons and due to his practicing the craft .But honestly when you speak face to face with some like him he is as gentle as a dove, so i encourage you all hear not to hold animosity in your hearts toward him or fasle ideas in your heads about him ,there is nothing good that will come from that .
Social media is not a good medium to communicate through ,we dont have tone or body language etc to help us communicate our hearts
blessings
Gary
I am perfectly happy to discuss Wesley and Fox further and did not mean that we should not give our views regarding other theologies. I was talking about the use of the word heresy and did not single anyone out over that but I have noticed it becoming used more frequently not just here but all over the web.
It would help though if you did not write such as this
fox was way of the mark with that interpretation as you are sister maybe you should have not read so much doctrines of men and just meditate of the verses ,,maybe stop trying to fit verses in the bible into a jigsaw theology of men
I would like to respond to that brenda , but for the sake of this thread i dont want to change the subject of this thread if you no what i mean
Wait, Brother Bill!! Don't stand so close to the edge of the building, don't jump, it will be OK, ...... Nooooooooooo.......!
Greetings and salutations Brother Bill!
I too enjoy your posts and your wit. You are a needed voice here as there seems to be increasing ugliness in the name of Christ. I echo those who ask you to stay.
Have a blessed day! May you show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. ... and do something fun!
REJOICE! =)
Mary
I am sorry if my post led folks to believe I was leaving SI. I am not leaving, I just wished I could still have the passion I used to, to come here and be enlightened by the massive amounts of wisdom in the forums, the sermons, etc. I want to sometimes look in on some threads the grab my attention, but now I am so reluctant that I will be disappointed by the tone. Mary, I am so grateful you recognized some of my wit, it's just my God given nature. I feel any business, relationship, forum, church, etc. needs that person with wit, they sometimes becomes our saving grace when we get down at work, home or church.
I do know how to be serious, but not for to long, because I do realize "this life is not permanent". We all want to be right, I think it's just human nature, it gives us a sense of accomplishment/approval, but I don't need mans approval just God's, if he is happy, I am good to go. I don't want to step on any toes here, I respect the folks that want to dig deeper into scripture, it shows their passion, but where do we draw a line between passion and heated debates that start going south?
We all need to quit worrying about proving to man how much we know and understand,the word of God, if the debate gets heated and folks want to have their memberships terminated, what have we proven, that we can run good folks off with our desire to be right? I am a very passionate person when it comes to my relationship with the Lord, I don't have to debate him to prove anything, regardless of what I think or know, I am going with him in all things, he is my everything, and I will follow him in all things, good and bad.
God Bless!
Mr. Bill
Brother Bill,
Glad you are sticking around! Not sure what you meant "run good folks off"...but every situation is different and in this latest case someone asked to have their account terminated. Not withstanding that case, in a public forum like this attached to SI it is important to have moderation and in certain cases people should be pulled into line, not over getting "heated" but because they are being abusive. This is the best way to bring peace. The moderators could look at suspending an account for a few months (after several warnings) rather than permanently delete it. Allows time for repentance and restoration. Unlikely, but might be worth a try? On that note, does the forum have any written policy for warnings, discipline or account termination? That's fairly commonplace now a days.
"Sister you made negative remarks against reformed theology in that thread ,and charismatic theology in the past..."
There is a whole lot wrong with both Calvinistic and Charismatic theology floating around the world today and I hope to God that we are not afraid to correct and warn when needed. If this is considered negative then so be it. In my case I will rarely if ever argue with others about it anymore but I am not going to be afraid of speaking out against clearly bad teaching as The Lord leads me. I hope others on the forum will also have the courage stand for the truth without descending into unfruitful arguments. We are a very mixed bag of individuals so it is not surprising that things always "go south" when that is ignored by those with an agenda, trying to push whatever part of the aforementioned ideologies they are passionate about (rather than Jesus) onto the rest of the group. Personally I will honor and defer to the leadership and moderation of the forum, every time, without question...but I honestly think there is a lot of confusion and a very unclear purpose in these forums. I leaves me with the burden to pray for SI even more and for brother Greg and the other moderators. I am reminded of that verse that speaks about "if a trumpet makes an unclear sound, who will prepare for battle"? I sense that there are people ready to pounce on others the minute they speak the truth, because the truth does not line up with their pet doctrines. Does that sound like something the Holy Spirit is controlling. I guess I am rambling on now and I fear that I have not been able to explain my heart very well, but if you can decipher anything out of this, then The Lord be praised!!
MrBillPro wrote:
I pray someday I will enjoy coming back to SI to read and take part in some of the threads, as it stands now, it's been allowed to get so bad, I don't even feel at peace here anymore.
And to me, last week was nothing like those days! You would have really lost your peace back then!! Waltern hurt my feelings more than once but hey, life goes on.
During those days, I would check SI 5 to 10 times a day, things exploded so fast on here!!! Now it's so sedate, there's no need to check it but once a day, sometimes a whole lot less!
God bless you, Bill!
Lisa
PS: the mods have nothing to apologize for, imo.
I think when we go too far in our replies we know inside us that we've lost control. I think if we can say to ourselves once we have lost it a bit that : "I need to have a little break." ........
I'm sorry I'm not talking down to anyone here as I'm just as capable of not writing my posts properly.... There is more to life than being on a forum, I have to say this to myself sometimes and remove any joy I was getting from replying to people as God asks me to stop posting. Have to practice self denial and let our laughter be turned to mourning and our joy to heaviness, humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up as it says in James. We can come back and be in more control and reply in a better way which has more chance of being noticed. I'm not an expert on doing this on a forum but it's good to begin somewhere. And i think this forum is part of our Christian walk of practicing self denial.
And i think this forum is part of our Christian walk of practicing self denial.
I think that is a great part of how each of us can benefit from the forums is to as brother shared to "practice self-denial" to love others, serve others and prefer others before ourselves. Also to realize that all our communication with our spouses, children, at church, at home, on SermonIndex forums.
Matthew 12:36 - But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
If listening to the sermons are not changing you and you are still full of the same problems, etc then there is a problem not in hearing but obeying the word of God and allowing the Lord to transform you saints. There are many who have been on the forums for many years and they have changed greatly from an argumentative person to a more mature godly person. We have seen this happen over and over. The problem is in my mind not with the forums but with those who "will not" change.
May we have great mercy and grace on everyone here, we are all at different levels of growth in the Lord. May we treat each other as Christ.
This discussion is locked.
